can an experienced stud who really does know his stuff mate a girl just a little bit too early if he hasnt been with a girl in a while? My boy has not missed yet but has had a short break,not too long though and visiting girl came to see him( day 11) .She was flagging and he seemed keen but only achived a slip which lasted about 30 seconds.that was 2 days ago and he just wont look at her again..she is coming back today.Is it possible he just got a little bit excited having not had a go in a while then realised she really wasnt ready?

Who knows?  It could also be the opposite - that she was at the end of her fertile period, so they only got one slip mating and now you won't get any further matings.  Was she progesterone tested or had cytology done?

He did once mate a girl only once and thats exactly what it was but the owner says she knows her dog and thats not the case but she hasnt been blood tested.I suggested idexx to her x

I suppose you can only go by what happens today re where she was in her season.   One of mine only ever achieved slip matings, but, much as I didn't allow him to be used much, he only missed to one bitch who came to my other stud dog on her next season and missed again.   I heard she went to another stud dog on her next season, and still nothing.    What I mean is a slip tie doesn't have to mean no puppies much as we all prefer to have a tie.   I have a feeling that had she not been willing, experienced or not, she'd not have allowed him to mate with her!

> but the owner says she knows her dog

Which is what I would have said - but was proved wrong.  I couldn't get one of my bitches pregnant and eventually went for testing.  She ovulated on day 4!

Yet 100% I would swear by my stud dog.  He really knew whether or not to waste his time.

As I have owned bitches that would allow mating anytime (proper sluts) I would go by what the stud dog says every time.